The Jags pricked by Montrose, QofS centre-back hat-trick, and Maroon Machine pick up first league win since September - Scottish League One Round-Up

Scottish League One Round-Up

Montrose 2-1 Inverness

Lyons (62’), Dillon (74’); Stewart (2’)

High flying Inverness travelled to Montrose looking to put their loss vs Stenhousemuir behind them, but instead, Stewart Petrie’s side shocked the Jags, pulling off an impressive win over the league leaders.

It seemed as if it was going to be another comfortable afternoon for Caley early on, when Daniel Devine slipped in Aberdeen loanee Alfie Stewart, and he finished emphatically into the top corner after just two minutes.

Chances for Billy McKay, Paul Allan, and Mitchell Robertson could and probably should have put the game to bed, but alas, Montrose held on. Montrose themselves had a massive chance to get back on level terms when a seem ball into the box found Callum Sandilands, whose header was miraculously saved by Ross Munro.

The game then was flipped on its head when Blair Lyons poked in a Callum Sandilands ball into the box to equalise, with Ross Millen being shown a straight red card in the aftermath seemingly for saying something to the referee that reduced the Jags to 10 men. Inverness were inches away from re-taking the lead when Alfie Stewart’s freekick came off the underside of the crossbar, but Montrose rode their luck once more.

Montrose eventually capitalised on the man advantage, with centre-back Sean Dillon left unmarked from a corner and heading in for the winner. The Jags suffer back-to-back defeats for the first time this season, whilst Montrose continue their impressive form with one loss in their last nine.

Alloa Athletic 0-0 Stenhousemuir

Alloa hosted Stenhousemuir with just a two point gap separating the local rivals, with a congested top four meaning a win for either side could have proved vital in each of their hopes for promotion this season. In the end, it was a stalemate in Clackmannanshire, with neither side capitalising on the opportunity.

Stenny were on top early on, with Ross Taylor’s strike cannoning off the post after just seven minutes, and Michael Anderson failing to convert the rebound.

Kurtis Roberts would have the biggest chance of the afternoon, being through on goal after spinning his man Archie Graham, but the 31-year-old failed to convert, putting his effort wide. Ross Meechan then almost won it for Stenny, with his header coming off the inside of the post and out.

With the draw, Stenhousemuir remain 2nd, two points behind Inverness, whilst Alloa drop to 3rd.

Peterhead 0-4 Cove Rangers

Megginson (3’ , 69’ Pen), O’Donnell (30’), Maguire (77’)

Cove Rangers came into this game desperately needing a win, sitting just four point in front of Kelty Hearts in the automatic relegation spot, and eight points adrift from 8th. The Toonsers got off to the perfect start.

Mitchell Megginson latched onto a parried save and finished neatly to open the scoring just two minutes in. Peterhead came back, with Jack Brown having his effort from close range denied by Robbie Mutch.

On the half hour mark, Dundee United loanee Lewis O’Donnell doubled Cove’s lead with a header from close range after a deep ball into the box from Adam Emslie. Emslie would continue to threaten, almost adding a third and eventually winning a penalty, which Megginson converted.

For the cherry on top, 36-year-old Chris Maguire cut in on his left foot and whipped one into the far corner to add Cove’s fourth. Cove have now scored nine goals in their last two games, while Peterhead have managed just one in the same time.

Queen of the South 4-1 Hamilton Academical

Douglas (12’, 45’, 52’), Stott (89’); Smith (47’)

Queen of the South recorded their third straight win and climbed to third. Matthew Douglas became only the seventh centre-back in SPFL history to record a hat-trick. The 27-year-old had scored just nine times before the game, but a first half brace followed up by a third in the 52nd minute sealed his hat-trick.

Highlights for the match have not been made available, but from the scoreline and reaction from fans, Queen of the South dominated for large parts of the game and were deserved winners. Hamilton have conceded four or more in four of their last six games and will be hoping their defensive performances improve quickly.

East Fife 0-1 Kelty Hearts

Moore (40’)

Kelty Hearts hadn’t beaten East Fife since July 2021, and their last league win was on 27th September. Both of those things changed as Kelty defeated the Fifers in a cagey affair.

It was a game of few chances, but Lewis Moore took his when it came just before half time. His first goal of the season came from a deep Murray Thomas cross in, with the ex-Jambo opening the scoring for the men in maroon. Innes Murray had a chance to double the lead, but in the end, a second goal wasn’t needed, and Kelty hung on to secure what could be a vital three points. East Fife could have climbed to 5th with a win, but still have a game in hand over eight teams, so will took to bounce back against Hamilton.